United Nations Daily Highlights, 00-02-09

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

BY MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, February 9, 2000

STATES URGED TO ACT AGAINST ATTACKS ON STAFF IN CONFLICT ZONES

At 9:30 this morning, the Security Council began its open debate on "The Protection of UN, Associated and Humanitarian Personnel in Conflict Zones," in a meeting presided by Foreign Minister Adalberto Rodr&iacute;guez Giavarini of Argentina.

Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fr&eacute;chette opened the Council meeting by asserting that the United Nations can do more to safeguard the security of its personnel. In particular, she said, the Secretary-General intends to appoint a full-time Security Coordinator as soon as possible and to equip field missions with security professionals and essential equipment.

Among other steps that could be taken, she highlighted the possibility of establishing centers where all international staff could receive security training.

However, the Deputy Secretary-General warned that "good security costs money," and added that the level of funds provided by Member States for security activities has been disappointing. She also noted that, of 98 staff members murdered since 1992, only two perpetrators have been brought to justice.

In her speech, Catherine Bertini, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) urged the Council to define how future peacekeeping operations would protect humanitarian workers and to call for a system to monitor and punish crimes against such workers.

Thirty speakers are inscribed for today's open debate. At the close of the debate, the Council is expected to deliver a Presidential Statement on the protection of UN and other personnel.

Thursday, the Council is expected to hold consultations on the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and on recent developments in Kosovo.

In the Security Council's informal consultations on Tuesday afternoon, a draft resolution on the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was introduced. Experts are expected to discuss the draft today.

In response to questions, the Spokesman noted that the UN Security Coordinator's office in New York is quite small, with four full-time professionals headed by a Security Coordinator and Deputy. There are also security officers in the field, she said. "The total number is grossly inadequate," Okabe said.

The Spokesman noted that the United Nations has a Security Coordinator, who has other responsibilities in the UN system, although a full-time Security Coordinator is now expected, as Fr&eacute;chette had noted. Okabe also noted the Deputy Secretary-General's statement that Member States have only contributed $1.2 million to a UN Trust Fund on security activities.

UN RELIEF COORDINATOR URGES RESPONSE TO ETHIOPIA ATTACK

In a statement read by the Spokesman, Carolyn McAskie, the acting Emergency Relief Coordinator, said she was shocked and saddened by the attack on Monday against staff from Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), who were traveling from Jijiga to Degah Bur in Ethiopia. The attack resulted in the death of one drive and injuries to two staff members, she noted.

She said the attack "serves as a tragic reminder to the international community, on the day of the Security Council's open session" on the protection of UN and associated personnel.

ANNAN ARRIVES IN THAILAND TO BEGIN FIRST LEG OF ASIAN TRIP

Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, at about 11 p.m. He was met by Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, at the airport.

The Secretary-General will be in Bangkok until February 13, when he is to travel to Singapore. Click here for his trip schedule.

LETTER FROM ANNAN SENT ON CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL

Asked about reports on a letter from the Secretary-General to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Spokesman noted that the UN Legal Counsel, Hans Corell, recognized that the letter might be made public but was adamant that it would not be published here.

The United Nations remains committed to the process of working with the Cambodian Government, Okabe said. However, she added, the United Nations will not be able to accept involvement in a tribunal that does not meet minimum international standards of justice, fairness and the due process of law.

The letter was sent on Tuesday and is still being studied by the Cambodian authorities, she said. The Government's response will determine whether the United Nations will send another team to Cambodia in a further attempt to reach agreement.

UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE ACTING AS OBSERVER IN HIJACKING CASE

The Spokesman noted, in response to questions, that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in response to a request from British authorities, has provided its London representative Hope Hanlan as an independent observer at Stansted Airport. Hanlan has made herself available as an observer capacity in the issue of the hijacked Afghan flight.

However, the Spokesman added, all questions are being referred to the British authorities, who are handling the situation.

EXPANDED KOSOVO TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL BEGINS WORK

Today, the Kosovo Transitional Council, which acts as a "mini-parliament" with advisory powers, was inaugurated with its new, expanded membership. The 12-member Council has been increased to 35 members, drawn from the various political, religious and ethnic communities of Kosovo. After its inauguration, the expanded Transitional Council discussed the situation in Mitrovica.

The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo reported that Mitrovica remains tense, although the Kosovo Force (KFOR) said that last night was relatively quiet, with no reports of injuries or damage. The curfew in Mitrovica has been scaled back, and now lasts from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Meanwhile, UN Police are continuing their investigations into the murders of at least eight Albanians and the grenade attack last week on a Serb caf&eacute;.

In response to questions about the role of UN Police, the Spokesman noted that, in some parts of Kosovo, there are more police, who in turn have more tactical control, than in other areas. In Pristina, she said, there were about 700 police, while in Mitrovica, their numbers are fewer. UN Police in Kosovo carry sidearms, she said.

Asked about the presence of Serbs on the Transitional Council, the Spokesman noted that the Serb community has not yet taken up active participation in the Council, although there are two members of that community in the expanded Transitional Council.

TEAM REPORTS LIMITED LANDMINE PROBLEM IN SIERRA LEONE

A mission conducted by the UN Mine Action Service concluded that the landmine situation in Sierra Leone could be dealt with by the UN Mission in the country. It also has recommended that a mine action information and coordination capacity be established as part of the peacekeeping operation.

Although access has not yet been secured to all areas of the country, the assessment team has determined that landmines pose a limited problem in Sierra Leone.

The Mine Action Service conducted a technical assessment mission in Sierra Leone from January 30 to February 6 to assess the scope of the situation of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Sierra Leone. The assessment team held discussions with the Government, the warring factions, the UN mission and other parties. The team also traveled to Kabala in the North of Sierra Leone and to Keneam and Daru in the East to investigate reports of uncleared landmines and unexploded ordinance.

EAST TIMOR ADMINISTRATOR WELCOMES ARREST OF MILITIA LEADER

In East Timor, the commander of the International Force, Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove, announced that militia leader Moko Soares had been arrested by Indonesian authorities Monday at his home near the Bobometo border point in West Timor. Soares has been implicated in the recent armed incursions into East Timor's Oecussi enclave.

Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello welcomed the news and said he has been advised that Soures would be charged with illegal possession and sale of weapons.

On Thursday, the UN Civilian Police will be issued with sidearms. UN Police Commissioner Carlos Lima decided to authorize the issuance of sidearms following a number of violent incidents in recent weeks.

Under their rules of engagement, the police can use the weapons only in case of a threat to the life of a UN police officer or another person.

The first batch of Portuguese troops arrived in Dili today to take command of the Central Sector. The first 250 soldiers who arrived today will be joined Thursday by another 250, with the Portuguese contingent expected to number 765 soldiers in all once deployment is completed.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

General Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab has invited a group of 33 Ambassadors to a meeting this afternoon to discuss arrangements for the Millennium Summit. The closed meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m.

The World Health Organisation warned in a press release issued today that the spread of tuberculosis is reaching critical levels among an estimated 180,000 displaced persons who have fled the fighting in Chechnya. Overcrowding, poor health facilities and problems of access to health care are contributing to a deteriorating health situation among the displaced persons in Ingushetia, the agency says.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development -- the 10th session of which begins on Saturday in Bangkok -- issued a press release on investment promotion strategies for the 21st century.